I Love the Wetlands project aims to provide educational resources for teachers and opportunities for hands-on experiences for young children to instil knowledge on the importance of conservation of wetlands as part of our natural Sabah heritage.

The project focus is to develop a learning programme suitable for kindergarten students (age  5 – 6 years old)  that consists of a classroom program, a hands-on experience at KK Wetland, and training for teachers.  The classroom program will be based on 4 story books created specially for this program based on our central character Ardee the Purple Heron to introduce the wetland environment to the kindergarten students. The pilot program targets 20 kindergartens in Kota Kinabalu and will involve 40 teachers and 1,200 kindergarten students.

With the support of the YELL 2023 Seed Grant, Persatuan Tadika Sabah will be able to develop a comprehensive learning program that consists of classroom learning kit, field trip program kit and teachers training session. The following activities will be carried out:
  - Development of Classroom Learning Program and  Kit: Classroom Story Book Set (4 books), Student Activity Book, Teacher’s Guide, Teaching and a Digital Resource Library
  - Field Trip Program and Kit: Hands-on activity program and scrapbook
  - Training session for teachers

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Igniting Passion for Nature in Sabah’s Next Generation 

“Hearing the excited voices of the kids on the bus, screaming Ardee – PTS’s very own purple heron mascot, you have a glimpse at the impact that storytelling can have in helping educate young children on conservation.”

The Heart of Our Mission: KK Wetlands 
PTS partnered with KK Wetlands, located right within the heart of Kota Kinabalu, to create a fun, educational, and child-friendly space. This strategic location makes it the perfect spot for kindergartens to bring young learners on exciting, hands-on field trips. Through this initiative, we aim to reach 20 kindergartens, 40 teachers, and over 1,200 kindergarten students (ages 5-6), giving them the tools to learn about the importance of wetlands in a way that’s engaging and memorable.

A Hands-On Learning Experience 
The approach PTS has taken is all about getting children involved in their learning. Teachers are provided with educational resources, and kids get to experience the magic of Sabah’s wetlands firsthand through stories. They will learn about mangroves, local creatures, and the role wetlands play in preserving our ecosystem. The excitement is contagious—children can’t wait to share what they’ve learned with their families, and even ask for storybooks or toys to keep the learning going at home!

Real Impact: Teachers, Children, and Parents 
Teachers: 46 teachers across 26 schools are already trained, and equipped with the knowledge and confidence to teach about mangroves. Many are expanding lessons with creative activities like songs, crafts, and field trips, with plans to continue next year.

Children: More than 1,200 children have taken part in field trips, becoming curious explorers of their environment. They’ve learned how to protect mangroves and have shown their knowledge through quizzes and classroom activities. Many proudly wear badges and carry magnifying glasses, eager to share what they’ve discovered with their families.

Parents: Through their children’s excitement, over 90 parents will be joining the field trips to learn more about wetlands themselves. And it doesn’t stop there—many are now buying educational books and toys to continue nurturing their child’s love for nature at home.

Join Us in Shaping the Future
By supporting the I LOVE WETLANDS project, YELL is helping foster a generation that understands, values, and works to conserve Sabah’s wetlands. Together, we can make a lasting impact on the future of our natural heritage. Let’s inspire the next generation to fall in love with our wetlands, one field trip at a time.
 

Persatuan Tadika Sabah is passionate towards the quality of early childhood education in Sabah. Our vision is to work towards achieving quality early childhood education in Sabah by focusing on three main areas; preschool teachers, private kindergartens, and parents and children in the community.